Nielsen defends Hauritz by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	NM Hauritz
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 5th July 2009

 

Australia coach Tim Nielsen said he is confident about off-spinner Nathan Hauritz delivering the goods if they decide to play him in the first Ashes Test against England at Cardiff starting on Wednesday.

 

Hauritz is in a battle with veteran quick Stuart Clark for one place in Australia's attack.

 

The selectors have now decided to wait until they see the wicket in Cardiff before choosing the XI but if they decide to pick an all-pace attack, part-timers Marcus North, Simon Katich and Michael Clarke will perform the spinning duties.

 

"We've spoken about it the whole way through, we won't know until we get to Cardiff," Nielsen said when asked what the make-up of Australia's attack would be.

 

"No point saying that (four quicks) if we turn up and it's a green top or vice versa."

 

Hauritz has been one of Australia's biggest under-performers in Australia's two tour games returning with consolidated figures of 2-260 from 68.2 overs.

 

In Aussie's final tour game against English Lions, England Test hopeful Ian Bell was his only wicket.

 

Nielsen defended Hauritz, saying the spinner had improved throughout each of Australia's tour games.

 

"(There's) no point taking 12 wickets in two games here and being over-ripe for the Test," he said. "He's comfortable with how his game is progressing and I feel he's got better and better."